Cigar cutter

Abstract

A device for cutting the cap from the head of a premium cigar is disclosed. The cigar cutter is operable between open and closed configurations and includes two pivotally-connected handles with integrated blades and embedded magnets that are arranged to provide opening and closing force for the handles while maintain the structural stability of the device.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A cigar cutter that is operable by one hand, the cutter comprising:
 a first handle having a first gripping surface, a first cutting blade and a first magnet disposed therealong that produces a first magnetic field; 
 a second handle having a second gripping surface, a second cutting blade in substantially parallel planar relation to the first cutting blade and a second magnet disposed therealong that produces a second magnetic field; 
 wherein the handles are pivotally connected and movable, along parallel pivot planes, between open and closed cutter positions, wherein the open position is defined by an opening for receiving a cigar tip existing between respective cutting edges of the cutting blades, and the closed position is defined by the cutting blades being in overlapping relation, and wherein the first and second magnetic fields interact to cause the first and second magnets to exert repelling forces against each other and alternatively bias the handles, along their respective pivot planes, toward the open and closed positions; and 
 a third magnet disposed along the first handle and producing a third magnetic field, wherein the third magnet exerts an attracting force on the second handle in a direction normal to the pivot planes, and wherein said second and third magnetic fields do not interact. 
 
     
     
       2. The cigar cutter of  claim 1 , wherein said attracting force in the direction normal to the pivot planes exerted by said third magnet against said second handle mitigates repelling force in a direction normal to the pivot planes exerted by said first magnet against said second handle due to the presence of said second magnet along said second handle. 
     
     
       3. The cigar cutter of  claim 1 , wherein each said cutting blade is defined by having a flat inner surface and a beveled outer surface, wherein the inner surface of said first cutting blade is in facing relation to the inner surface of said second cutting blade. 
     
     
       4. The cigar cutter of  claim 3 , wherein said respective cutting edges are arcuate edges at which the inner and outer surfaces of each said blade meet. 
     
     
       5. The cigar cutter of  claim 4 , wherein said opening for receiving a cigar tip is a circular or elliptical cross-sectional opening when said handle elements are in the open position, but said opening closes as said handles move into the closed position. 
     
     
       6. The cigar cutter of  claim 1 , wherein said first gripping surface is contoured to receive the palm of the hand and said second gripping surface is contoured to receive the fingers of the hand. 
     
     
       7. A cigar cutter that is operable by one hand, the cutter comprising:
 a first handle having a first gripping surface, a first cutting blade and a first magnet disposed therealong that produces a first magnetic field; 
 a second handle having a second gripping surface, a second cutting blade in substantially parallel planar relation to the first cutting blade and a second magnet disposed therealong that produces a second magnetic field; 
 wherein the handles are pivotally connected and movable, along parallel pivot planes, between open and closed cutter positions, wherein the open position is defined by an opening for receiving a cigar tip existing between respective cutting edges of the cutting blades, and the closed position is defined by the cutting blades being in overlapping relation, and wherein the first and second magnetic fields interact to cause the first and second magnets to exert repelling forces against each other and alternatively bias the handles, along their respective pivot planes, toward the open and closed positions; and 
 a third magnet disposed along the first handle and producing a third magnetic field, wherein the third magnet exerts an attracting force on the second handle in a direction normal to the pivot planes. 
 
     
     
       8. The cigar cutter of  claim 7 , wherein said attracting force in the direction normal to the pivot planes exerted by said third magnet against said second handle mitigates repelling force in a direction normal to the pivot planes exerted by said first magnet against said second handle due to the presence of said second magnet along said second handle. 
     
     
       9. The cigar cutter of  claim 7 , wherein each said cutting blade is defined by having a flat inner surface and a beveled outer surface, wherein the inner surface of said first cutting blade is in facing relation to the inner surface of said second cutting blade. 
     
     
       10. The cigar cutter of  claim 9 , wherein said respective cutting edges are arcuate edges at which the inner and outer surfaces of each said blade meet. 
     
     
       11. The cigar cutter of  claim 10 , wherein said opening for receiving a cigar tip is a circular or elliptical cross-sectional opening when said handle elements are in the open position, but said opening closes as said handles move into the closed position. 
     
     
       12. The cigar cutter of  claim 7 , wherein said first gripping surface is contoured to receive the palm of the hand and said second gripping surface is contoured to receive the fingers of the hand.